EU Parliament approves bold plan to combat Europe's housing crisis
The European Parliament has approved a new resolution to tackle the housing crisis across the continent. The plan includes faster building permits, lower VAT on housing, and stronger protections for property owners against illegal occupations. Lawmakers also called for stricter controls on short-term rentals to ease pressure on local housing markets.
Under the resolution, building permits should be processed within 60 days to speed up construction. A reduced VAT rate on housing provision and construction aims to cut costs for developers and buyers. The measures come as part of a broader push to increase housing supply and improve affordability.
The European Commission will support local authorities in regulating short-term rentals, with detailed proposals expected in December. This move targets the growing impact of platforms like Airbnb on long-term housing availability. The Parliament also condemned illegal home occupations and demanded better legal protections for property owners.
Criticism came from Martin Schirdewan, co-chair of the Left group, who argued the resolution favours large investors and property corporations over tenants. Meanwhile, CSU MEP Markus Ferber stressed that more construction is essential to bring down housing costs.
The resolution combines faster approvals, tax cuts, and rental regulations to address housing shortages. Local governments will gain tools to manage short-term rentals, while stricter laws aim to deter illegal occupations. The Commission's December plan will outline further steps to boost investment in new and renovated homes.
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